Washing machine control method and washing machine using the same

ABSTRACT

A washing machine control method and a washing machine using the same enable a user to set as desired a variety of dewatering parameters, including a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time. By selectively reducing the rotational rate of a motor performing a dewatering cycle, the user can avoid damaging delicate or costly laundry during a dewatering cycle. The method includes steps of storing at least one dewatering parameter value in memory and controlling the dewatering cycle by driving the motor according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in the memory. The at least one parameter value is indicative of at least one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. P2003-076028, filed on Oct. 29, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly, to a washing machine control method enabling a user to set as desired a motor speed for a dewatering cycle.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally speaking, a washing machine is an apparatus for washing laundry by composite reactions of, for instance, friction between the laundry and a water current due to, for example, a pulsator; friction between the laundry and an inner surface of a tub, including an agitator; and the cleaning power of a detergent mixed with the water. A general washing machine is shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display 3 is provided on an upper portion of an outer case 1, typically as part of a control panel (not shown). A base 4 is coupled to the bottom of the outer case 1. An outer tub 5 is installed inside the outer case 1. A damper 6 provides an elastic force to the outer tub 5. An inner tub (drum) 7 is installed inside the outer tub 5. A pulsator 8 is installed inside the inner tub 7. A motor 9 for generating rotational power and a clutch 12 for transmitting the rotational power are installed below the outer tub 5. The clutch 12 transfers the rotational power to a dewatering shaft 10 to rotate the inner tub 7 and to a washing shaft 11 to rotate the pulsator 8.

The above-described washing machine performs a wash course including washing, rinsing, and dewatering cycles according to a program stored in a memory. During dewatering, the motor rotates at a predetermined rate, i.e., a preset rotational speed typically measured in revolutions per minute or rpm (hereinafter referred to as motor speed), which is fixed regardless of the type of laundry loaded in the being washed. Thus, all types of laundry—including laundry items particularly vulnerable to damage, e.g., items of fine wool or silk, and laundry items generally impervious to damage, e.g., items of heavy denim,—are dewatered at the same motor speed. As a result, some laundry items—perhaps costly items—may be damaged during the dewatering cycle due to an excessive motor speed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine control method and washing machine using the same that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine control method, which enables a user to set dewatering parameters as desired, including the motor speed for performing a dewatering cycle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine control method, which enables the prevention of laundry damage during a dewatering cycle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine suitable for implementing the above methods.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a method of controlling a dewatering cycle of a washing machine having a memory. The method comprises steps of storing at least one dewatering parameter value in the memory; and controlling the dewatering cycle by driving a motor according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in the memory, wherein the at least one parameter value is indicative of at least one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time. In doing so, a set of stored parameter values is displayed on a control panel of the washing machine, and one of the displayed parameter values is selected to control the motor accordingly.

Preferably, the method of the present invention further comprises a step of inputting the at least one parameter value to be stored in the memory. The at least one parameter value is input by the user before the controlling step and may be input before executing a wash course or during wash course execution. Alternatively, one or more of the dewatering parameter values may be determined by the manufacturer.

According to the present invention, the dewatering cycle includes a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period. Thus, the controlling step comprises steps of rotating the motor at a first motor speed during the preliminary dewatering period; and rotating the motor at a second motor speed during the main dewatering period.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising a motor for rotating an inner tub to perform a dewatering cycle of a wash course; a memory for storing at least one dewatering parameter value and a program for executing the wash course; and a microcomputer for, while the wash course is being executed according to the stored program, controlling the motor to perform the dewatering cycle according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in the memory. The microcomputer generates, based on the at least one dewatering parameter value, a dewatering control signal for controlling the motor to perform the dewatering cycle.

Preferably, the washing machine of the present invention further comprises a motor driver for driving the motor according to the dewatering control signal output by the microcomputer; a display, controlled by the microcomputer, for displaying the at least one parameter value stored in the memory; and a key input for entering user data to be stored in the memory. The key input has at least a dewatering setup mode key, a keypad, and a reset key.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a general washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting and storing one or more motor speeds for dewatering using a washing machine adopting the method of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a dewatering cycle according to the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 2, illustrating a washing machine according to the present invention, a microcomputer 10 controls the washing machine based on a program adapted to a specific type of laundry load, including parameters associated with the laundry type and amount (or wash load), to execute a user-selected wash course. The associated parameters determine inter alia the amount of washing water, the respective durations of wash time, rinse time, and dewatering time, and a motor speed.

During a dewatering cycle, the microcomputer 10 generates a dewatering control signal to a motor driver 30, which drives the motor 70 accordingly. That is, the dewatering control signal is generated based on one or more dewatering parameter values. Particularly, the motor 70 is driven to rotate at a motor speed set by a user.

When selecting a wash course, the user inputs (or enters), via a key input 20, a set of values indicative of a desired dewatering time and a desired motor speed, to be stored in a memory 40, including, for example, an EEPROM (not shown), together with the program for executing the wash course. Thus, the key input 20 preferably includes at least a dewatering speed setup key (not shown) for initiating a dewatering speed setup mode of a washing machine adopting the present invention, a keypad (not shown) for freely setting dewatering parameters as desired and causing entered parameter values to be stored (or set) in the memory 40 and for changing the set value by writing over the stored value, and a reset key (not shown) for deleting from the memory user data entered during a dewatering speed setup. The user data is data designated by the user and includes values for determining the desired dewatering time and the desired motor speed. Such data may be displayed on a display 50, which is typically integrated with a control panel (not shown) comprising the key input 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, illustrating a process of setting and storing dewatering parameters, including motor speed, for performing a dewatering cycle according to the present invention, the user uses the dewatering speed setup key of the key input 20, to select a dewatering speed setup mode in a step S10, thereby prompting a menu displayed via the display 50, which includes at least a plurality of rpm values, i.e., an rpm list. In a step S20, the user selects a motor speed from the displayed menu or uses the keypad to select a desired motor speed (S20). The microcomputer 10 then stores a set of values indicative of the user's selection in an address of the memory 40 in a step S30. Steps S20 and S30 may be repeated for any number of desired rpm values.

The process of FIG. 3 may be similarly applied to set and store other dewatering parameters, including multiple settings of any one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, and the respective durations of the preliminary and main dewatering periods, i.e., a preliminary dewatering time and a main dewatering time. Here, the preliminary dewatering motor speed is the motor speed of the motor 9 (FIG. 1) during the preliminary dewatering period, and the main dewatering motor speed is the motor speed during the main dewatering period. That is, in a contemporary washing machine, each dewatering cycle includes a preliminary dewatering period for initially forcing the laundry against the inner walls of the inner tub 7 (FIG. 1) and a main dewatering period for performing subsequently the actual dewatering of the laundry. Conventionally, a general ratio exists between the preliminary and main dewatering periods, whereby the preliminary dewatering period is markedly shorter than and uses a slower motor speed than the main dewatering period, and ratio information is typically set by the manufacturer for each wash course to be selected, based on the wash load and other characteristics of the wash course, and is stored in the memory 40 along with the other dewatering parameter values.

The washing machine control method of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4, which illustrates a process of controlling a dewatering cycle before or during a selected wash course.

By entering a dewatering setup mode in a step S110, a washing machine according to the present invention enables user control of a dewatering cycle at any time prior to an execution of the dewatering cycle. Thus, a setting of dewatering parameters as in FIG. 3 is possible while a selected wash course is being performed. In doing so, the microcomputer 10 references in a step S120 the memory 40 to read out the stored dewatering parameters for display via the display 50. It is then determined by the user in a step S130 whether the desired parameter values are stored in the memory 40 and thus available for selection, by recognizing the currently stored and displayed dewatering parameters, which would preferably comprise a plurality of dewatering settings, including values predetermined by the manufacturer along with those previously set by the user.

If the parameter values of the desired dewatering cycle are displayed in the step S120, the user may simply proceed to the dewatering mode selection of a step S140, whereupon the microcomputer 10 displays the selection in a step S150. Otherwise, if a particular set of dewatering parameter values is desired, the keypad of the key input 20 is utilized, together with the reset key as necessary, to set in a step S160 the desired dewatering parameter values and thereby determine a dewatering mode. Then, in a step S170, the microcomputer 10 stores the set values in the memory 40, and the new dewatering mode selection is displayed in the step S150.

The selected and displayed dewatering mode of the step S150 indicates the dewatering parameters of preliminary dewatering motor speed, main dewatering motor speed, preliminary dewatering time, and main dewatering time. Therefore, the dewatering cycle executed in a step S180 is performed in a mode selected from a plurality of fully selectable dewatering modes.

The present invention enables a user to arbitrarily set, based on a specific laundry load to be washed by a specific wash course, the parameters controlling a dewatering cycle. Accordingly, by adopting the method of the present invention, laundry damage may be prevented by selectively reducing the rotational rate of the motor performing a dewatering cycle in the event that laundry damage is expected or an expensive load of laundry is being washed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of controlling a dewatering cycle of a washing machine having a memory, the method comprising steps of: storing at least one dewatering parameter value in the memory; and controlling the dewatering cycle by driving a motor according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in the memory.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter value is indicative of at least one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor is coupled with an inner tub for holding laundry, to rotate the inner tub during the dewatering cycle.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of inputting the at least one parameter value to be stored in the memory.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one parameter value is input by a user before executing a wash course.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one parameter value is input by a user during wash course execution.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one parameter value is input by a user before said controlling step.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a step of changing the at least one parameter value stored in the memory by writing over the stored value.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the input parameter value is indicative of a preliminary dewatering time and a main dewatering time, the motor being driven for the preliminary and main dewatering times, respectively.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the parameter values indicative of the preliminary and main dewatering times are stored in the memory by a manufacturer.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the parameter values indicative of the preliminary and main dewatering times are stored in the memory by a user.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the input parameter value is indicative of a ratio between a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period, the motor being driven based on the preliminary dewatering period and the main dewatering period, respectively.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the preliminary dewatering period is shorter than the main dewatering period.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the preliminary dewatering period precedes the main dewatering period.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the parameter values indicative of the ratio between the preliminary and main dewatering periods are stored in the memory by a manufacturer.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the parameter values indicative of the ratio between the preliminary and main dewatering periods are stored in the memory by a user.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is set by a user.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is predetermined by a manufacturer.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dewatering cycle includes a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said controlling step comprises steps of: rotating the motor at a first motor speed during the preliminary dewatering period; and rotating the motor at a second motor speed during the main dewatering period.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first motor speed is greater than the second motor speed.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising steps of: displaying the at least one parameter value stored in the memory; selecting one of the displayed parameter values; and rotating the motor according to the selected parameter value.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the at least one parameter value is indicative of a rotational rate of the motor.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the parameter values are displayed as a list of rpm values, one rpm value being selected from the list to rotate the motor accordingly.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying the stored at least one dewatering parameter value.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the at least one dewatering parameter value is displayed while the motor is being driven.
 27. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a step of selecting one of the displayed at least one dewatering parameter values.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the selected dewatering parameter value is displayed while the motor is being driven.
 29. A method of controlling a dewatering cycle of a washing machine having a memory, the method comprising steps of: executing a wash course according to a program stored in the memory; storing a plurality of rpm values in the memory according to the executed wash course; and controlling the dewatering cycle, during a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period, by driving a motor according to a first rpm value for the preliminary dewatering period and according to a second rpm value for the main dewatering period.
 30. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising steps of: displaying the rpm values stored in the memory; selecting one of the displayed rpm values; and rotating the motor for each period of the dewatering cycle according to a predetermined ratio based on the selected rpm value.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the predetermined ratio is based on the wash course executed by the program stored in the memory.
 32. A washing machine, comprising: a motor for rotating an inner tub to perform a dewatering cycle of a wash course; a memory for storing at least one dewatering parameter value and a program for executing the wash course; and a microcomputer for, while the wash course is being executed according to the stored program, controlling said motor to perform the dewatering cycle according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in said memory.
 33. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, wherein the at least one parameter value is indicative of at least one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time.
 34. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is set by a user.
 35. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is predetermined by a manufacturer.
 36. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, wherein said microcomputer generates, based on the at least one dewatering parameter value, a dewatering control signal for controlling said motor to perform the dewatering cycle.
 37. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, further comprising a motor driver for driving said motor according to the dewatering control signal output by said microcomputer.
 38. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, wherein the dewatering cycle includes a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period.
 39. The washing machine as claimed in claim 38, wherein said motor is rotated at a first motor speed during the preliminary dewatering period and at a second motor speed during the main dewatering period.
 40. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, further comprising a display, controlled by said microcomputer, for displaying the at least one parameter value stored in said memory.
 41. The washing machine as claimed in claim 40, wherein the at least one parameter value is stored in the memory by a manufacturer.
 42. The washing machine as claimed in claim 40, wherein the at least one parameter value is stored in the memory by a user.
 43. The washing machine as claimed in claim 32, further comprising a key input for entering user data to be stored in said memory.
 44. The washing machine as claimed in claim 43, wherein said key input comprises a dewatering setup mode key for initiating a dewatering setup mode of the washing machine.
 45. The washing machine as claimed in claim 44, wherein the dewatering setup mode of the washing machine is a dewatering speed setup mode for setting a rotational rate of said motor.
 46. The washing machine as claimed in claim 43, wherein said key input comprises a keypad for freely setting the dewatering parameters values.
 47. The washing machine as claimed in claim 43, wherein said key input comprises a reset key for deleting the entered user data.
 48. The washing machine as claimed in claim 43, wherein the at least one parameter value is input by the user before executing the wash course.
 49. The washing machine as claimed in claim 43, wherein the at least one parameter value is input by the user during wash course execution.
 50. The washing machine as claimed in claim 43, wherein the at least one parameter value is input by the user before said motor performs the dewatering cycle. 